We are going to look at Jesus' final conversation with Jesus and the beloved disciple.
Jesus says something super confusing in this passage. In response to Peter's question, Jesus says, "What does it matter to you if I leave him (the beloved disciple) alive until I return? You follow me!" And then we read that people were confused by this. Many believed Jesus would return before this beloved disciple died. And then, when he did die, it shook people's faith; they thought Jesus got something wrong. Why do you think Jesus said it this way, knowing it was confusing? Do you think this was intentional? If so, why?
The beloved disciple is never named in the gospel of John. In verse 24, he cryptically says, "This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true." Everyone at that time would have known exactly who this disciple was. Most people agree this was the apostle John. But why do you think he was secretive about his identity? Do you think this may have been intentional? Do you think He was teaching us something by not naming the beloved disciple?
